Matrix and method of making same



Feb. 3', 1925- 2 1,525,172

c. w. EBERHARD I MATRIX AND METHOD OF MAKING -SAME Filed Jan 16, 1924 ci@ Y g 95 )00000000000006500060 V l wif/@n md Cfh. am. www1/@1276 Paternal Feb.-3, i925.

PATENT oFFicE.

UNITED s'rArEs GHARLIS W. EBEBHABD, F PALATIN, ILLINOIS.

um AND METHOD 0l' HAKINGSAIE.

Application med-January 16, 1984. Serial No. 688,616.

To all wwm 'it may concern: A

Be it known that I, Cinnmis W. Elann- HABD, a citizen of the United States of America, and a. resident of Palatine, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Matrices and Methods of Making Same, of which the following is a specification.l

This invention relates to stereotype, and especially to the make-up and structure of matrices and to methods of forming same I ready to be used in a mold for casting stereote lates.

yll'hg main obects of the invention are to provide an improved form of matrix, adapted to hold its original and desired form eifectually whenused in a stereotype casting box; to provide distributed backing means for the matrices, substantially integral therewith, suiicient to revent deformation or bul 'ng of the matrix Wall or any part thereo provide matrices embodying this invention adapted for 'immediate use in stereot e molds without the application of make-rea y shims or adjusting strips on the back; to

provide distributed non-yielding means on the backs'of the matrices, prior to removal from the type forms, adapted to rovide substantially a uniform planar bearing for the back of the matrix when it is put in a stereotype mold; to obviate the need of manual application and ad'ustment of makeready means either to t e stereotype plate or to the matrix; to provide a convenient and effective method of producing and applying the distributed backing filler part to the main body .of the matrix; to provide for accomplishin the desired planar back finish automatica in the process of making and finishing t e matrix and to provide for accomplishing these ends without need of altering any of the usual machines and implements used in making matrices and stereotype plates.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown by the accompanying drawin s,.in whichigure 1 is a face viewgof a corne'rof one of the matrix filler backing sheets showing .matrix 1 of unitary character com rises a 105 indented upstanding projections.

Fig. 2 is a similar view greatly'enlarged. 1

incident to casting stereotypes; to-

roughening die plates with Yan unformed moist backing sheet disposed there-between read for formation b mutual convergence and interittin of sai die plates.

Fig. 5 is a ace view of a Hong sheet before application to the type form.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5 after pressure application of the tlongA to the type form whereby it assumes the character of a matrix.

Fig. 7 is a section through a finished matrix having a backing sheet attached adhesivel thereto, the section being taken substantia 1y as in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a. greatly enlarged view, otherwise similar to Fig. 7, the su portin char-` acter of the artially squa ed an accurately fitting acking member being-promi-- nently featured.

Fig. 9 is a magnified fragmentary section through one of the upstanding roughening projections of a backing sheet before use.

Fig. 10 shows the nature of deformation which occurs when one of these projections is crushed and partly restored to its original flush position, in steam press application of the make-ready'sheet to the matrix.

Fig. 11 shows a similar fragmentary View with the projection further crushed and j plate ready for removal.

Fig. 13 shows on an enlarged scale the relative position and form of the die plates and backing sheet when the latter is gripped by the die members.

Fig. l shows on a reduced scale how the backing sheet mold members (of Fig. 4) may be made in the form of rolls instead of plates.

Fig. 15 shows how the backing sheet may be applied with its flat side pasted to the Hong member.

Fig. 16 shows a good form of projection somewhat disk shaped.

Referring to the drawings, the finished due to thickness variations in t e component layers of material, as usual for matrices. The part 3 though not solid throu houtis substantially ri `d and furnishes a m and substantially p anar back for the matrix. It is of variable thickness according to the contour of the back surface of the flong member and its density as a whole varies inversely as the thickness, as will be apparent, due to the voids scattered over and throughout its body. It serves as a space filler and levelin device for the matrix.

When the finished matrix is placed in the casting box one end bears against the box part 4, and the supporting part 3 of the matrix bears against the box wall 4. The molten metal is poured into the space between the matrix 1 and the box wall 4 to form the stereotype plate 5. The part 3 supports the l back of part 2 throughout and prevents any deformation thereof.

in making matrices the back member 3 is initially in the form of a flat smooth sheet 3 as shown in Fig. 4. This sheet is composed of material which when dry is normally hard and eifectually resistant to such compression or flattening forces as it may ordinarily be subjected to in casting stereotypes and in handling. But when moist the sheet 3 yields readily to pressure and molding without tearing or breaking. Such sheets are first moistened and then initially molded, as shown by Figs. 4, 13 and 14 into the form shown by Figs. 2, 3 and 9, with numerous hollo-'w disks or cuplike projections 6 of dome-shaped hollow character. ln molding the domes 6 the material may be stretched and thinned somewhat, or it ma even tear a little, vbut this is negligible an immaterial. The shape of these domes may be varied somewhat, as at 6a on sheet 3 of Fig. 16.

Referring to Fig. 4,' the complementary die plates 7 and 8 are formed with numerous hollows 9 and projections 1() respectively in mutual registry, the hollows being sueientl larger than the projections to accommo ate the thickness of sheet 3, when the latter is being molded, as in Fi 13, between said plates, into the form s own by Figs. `2 and 3. rlhe sheet 3 is of the nature .of paper, but its composition may be varied widely, though a fibrous material is preferred. lt is about 25/1000 of an inch thick. The domes 6 are about 'T5/1000 of an inch high and about 3/16 of an inch apart on centers, though these dimensionsvmay vary according to service requirements.

The paper or other material, as for in stance, ordinary matrix paper, for the sheet 3' is rst treated with -a gum or the like, preferably a gummy paste, and a filler of earthy character to give it stren h. Certain pigment earths are well a apted for this purpose, the need being to render the sheet hard and resistant when dried, though soft and yielding when moist. When such a sheet is applied to the back side of a matrix part 2, with a little paste or other adhesive material to make it stick permanently, and light pressure is applied, it readily conforms to' the shape thereof. It holds its molded shape electually and serves as a firm straight-back support for the face part 2 of the matrix. The outer face is substantially planar and fits against the mold Wall 4. Either the rough side l1 or the smooth side 12 may be applied next to the fiong part, and the part 3 may be ery slightly moist, but I prefer to use it The backing filler lsheet 3 compensates also for any variations in the thickness of the fiong body, incident to the usual inherent qualities of even the best grades of paper, all of which vary somewhat in thickness throughout their whole area. Hence, as viewed in Figs. 8 and 15, the type face plane 13 of the matrix is uniformly parallel with the planar back face of the variably compressed filler 3, and the intertype parts 14 of the part 2 are supported by the protuberances 6 which may be more or less squashed and flattened, with variable shaped voids 15 interspersed. Fasting is facilitated by applying face 12 to the flong, as in Fig. 15, but the roughened face 11 adapts itself most readily to the uneven flong back and a smooth face is presented to the casting box wall 4 when the rough side ll is inward, as in Fig. 7.

Although the method of forming the matrix filler-backing sheets 3 is illustrated by fiat mold plates 8 and 9 (Fig. 4) it should l be understood that the members 8 and 9 may be modified, as in Fig. 14, to take the form of rolls 8 and 9 adapted to handle a. continuous strip 3 of backing material, and that stock may be cut from rolls of such backing as required.

According to my preferred method of practicing this invention, a moist fiong` 2 is applied to the type form (not shown) and together they are run through a roller pressv (also not shown), or otherwise subjected to molding pressure, whereby the main body or face part of the matrix is formed, after which the matrix member is dried or baked, while in place on the type form, in a screw press substantially as usual in the matrix forming art, though not here shown. The next step involves the present invention, and consists in applying an indented filler support member ,or backing sheet 3 (see Fig. 1) of impressionable character to the now uneven back of the dried matrix, the latter still resting on the type form; Before bringing these two components to ether adhesive material is applied preferab y to the backing 3, so as to cause them to adhere per of the press plate 4.

manently. Either side of the backing 3 may be presented to the member 2. The matrix with the backing sheet 3 in place, together with the type form, is again placed in a heated screw press Where a light pressure is briefly applied, sufiicient to mold the back ing sheet into snug-fitting relation to the matrix, and also harden same, With the back perfectly plain to correspond with the face The matrix with the backing sheet now securely adherent thereto is removed from the type form and is ready for the vstereotype casting box Where it is immediately set in place and the desired plates cast. From this stage of the process the several steps in preparing the printing plates are in accordance with the usual practice, except that the perfectly formed and unyielding matrix insures perfect printing plates requiring none of the usual manual adjustment and fitting of the plates ready for the press.

By my invention I make a perfect matrix, and thus obviate the usual need of applying make-ready means to the stereotype plates,

which plates being accurately castt perfectly in the press Without leveling ad- "f'justments, as Will be understood by all stereotypists. Furthermore, lI depend on the use of standard Well-known materials `and simple methods, such as are readily understood by papier-mch Workers and n early al1 Who have to do With stereotypy. The essential steps are confined practically to simple molding and drying operations. None of the materials have to become solvent in any stage of the molding process. No intricate or expensive equipment is required.

Although but one complete specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is to be understood that numerous ldetails of the method and product described and shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A stereotype matrix having a fibrous backing filler member substantially in- -tegral there-With and providing a normally non-yielding bearing to support the matrix asa whole against yieldin in casting stereotypes, which member is ormed to provide distributed positive supports for the intertype portions of the matrix.

2. A stereotype matrix comprising in unitary combination a type molded flong member and back leveling sheet member coextensive With said llong member and having spacer projections struck up more or less thereon according to the back contour of the fiong member to hold the main body of the leveling member in a planar position parallel with theV type face plane.

3. A stereot pe matrix backing member in the form o sheet material having dome shaped spacers struck up thereon, which spacers are normally resistant but moldably yielding under heavy pressure.

4. The method of making a stereotype matrix which consists in applying to the back of a ong member, after it has been yformed on its face side into matrix shape, a

yielding backing sheet, and then pressing the latter tightly against the back of the flong member and at the same time thereby forming an effective outer bearing surface of planar character to fit the bed of the stereotype mold.

5. The method of making a stereotype matrix Which consists in molding a flong into matrix `shape and then permanently aflixing to the back thereof in a substantially integral manner a back filler supporting member having a substantially uniformly effective outside bearing face and sullicient body to properly support all parts of the flong lmember when the matrix is in the stereotype mold box and metal is poured into the latter.

6. The method of making a matrix which consists in molding a Hong to type form, also molding a hard set-ting backing filler into a form having projections and hollows, applying paste to one of said' members bringing said members together with the back of5 the flong member next to the filler, subjecting them to pressure under heat sufficient to canse theliller to yield and conform -to the contour of the adjacent side of the Hong whereby the back bearing face of the matrix is 'rendered true and parallel with the face plane of the type.

Signed at Chicago, this 4th day of January, 1924.

CHARLES W. EBERHARD. 

